Synonyms of inquisitive

inquisitive

adjective

in-ˈkwi-zə-tiv 

as in curious

interested in what is not one's own business

an inquisitive woman who tends to everybody's business but her own

Synonyms & Similar Words

• curious
• nosey
• interested
• nosy
• prying
• officious
• intrusive
• concerned
• questioning
• quizzical
• meddlesome
• obtrusive
• snoopy
• meddling
• interrogative
• inquisitorial
• interfering
• inquisitional

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disinterested
• incurious
• indifferent
• uninterested
• uncurious
• unconcerned
• apathetic

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective inquisitive contrast with its synonyms?

The words curious and prying are common synonyms of inquisitive. While all three words mean "interested in what is not one's personal or proper concern," inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing.

dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives

When can curious be used instead of inquisitive?

The meanings of curious and inquisitive largely overlap; however, curious, a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to learn or to know.

children are curious about everything

When would prying be a good substitute for inquisitive?

The words prying and inquisitive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, prying implies busy meddling and officiousness.

prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of inquisitive

Each side is outfitted with a different adventure—shape sorting, gear spinners, activity keys, sliders, and beads—for inquisitive young minds. —Pamela Brill, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024

Plenty of inquisitive fans of the reality series have pointed out on Garrett Josemans' Instagram page in recent weeks that the 33-year-old Netflix reality star indeed has a new hairstyle — having swapped his short spiky hair from the show for a longer, messier look during a recent modeling gig. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 10 Oct. 2024

But from the inside, this nonprofit arts and culture organization appears to be nothing more than a diverse community of inquisitive minds happy to spend an entire Saturday listening to lectures about death and dying at the Memento Mori Festival hosted in their 200-person auditorium. —Jess Joho, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024

Such questions are open, inquisitive and searching, requiring descriptive answers. —Christian Simpson, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024